Saved From the Bin--Thou shalt rob thy neighbor's recycling bin

papercraft ESSENTIALS recently did an article on using recycled bits in crafting. This, of course, is a issue straight from my heart, and part of the reason I started this blog in the first place. So, I have emailed this most excellent mag and if they print my letter, perhaps many others will read the blog and join us in making all things new!

On that note, I will be doing a series of posts sharing what I have saved from the bin and examples of what I have made with these items.

Thou shalt rob thy neighbor's recycling bin
We don't get the paper. But, we live in a complex of four buildings of flats. So, when I wanted to make this magazine basket, I went dumpster diving. I got some clean newspaper from the recycling bin and a fruit box from the grocery store. I made two baskets out of newspaper. (Making the New Baskets by Jane LaFerla is a great book about basket weaving from alternative materials.) I made one slightly larger than the fruit box and one slightly smaller. I sandwiched the box between the two baskets and glued the rims of the two baskets together with PVA (Elmer's) glue. I personally really like the bare newspaper, but it could also be painted. If you want it to last, it would be best to seal it with varnish or decoupage medium.